Things to Do 1–2 Hours from Albany with Kids
43 kid-friendly adventures about 1 to 2 hours from Albany, nearest first.
- Under 1 hour (16)
- 1-2 hours (43)
- 2-3 hours (48)
- 3-4 hours (18)
About these times. Each estimate is a straight-line measurement from downtown Albany, padded by 17% for winding roads and divided by a 55 mph average — so “about 1 to 2 hours” means roughly that, not a routed time. Traffic, where in Albany you start, and the last few miles of park road can all move it by half an hour. Check a map before you load the car.
about 1 hr drive
Giant Ledge Trail
Shandaken, NY
HikingPopular hike to dramatic cliff-top viewpoints in the Catskill Mountains. Free. Better for ages 6 and …
about 1 hr drive
Slide Mountain Trail
Shandaken, NY
HikingHike the highest peak in the Catskills at 4,180 feet. Free. Better for ages 8 and up. Easily a full …
about 1 hr drive
Kenneth L. Wilson Campground
Mount Tremper, NY
CampingLakeside Catskills campground with sandy beach and boat rentals. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. …
about 1 hr drive
Kane Mountain Fire Tower
Caroga Lake, NY
HikingQuick and easy fire tower hike perfect for young or beginner hikers. Free. Best from about age 4. …
about 1 hr 15 min drive
Hearthstone Point Campground
Lake George, NY
CampingWaterfront state campground on Lake George close to the village. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. …
about 1 hr 15 min drive
Lake George Battleground Campground
Lake George, NY
CampingWooded state campground within walking distance of Million Dollar Beach and Lake George village, so …
about 1 hr 15 min drive
Lake George Islands Camping
Lake George, NY
CampingBoat-access island camping on pristine Lake George. Paid entry. Best from about age 5. Plan to stay …
about 1 hr 15 min drive
Million Dollar Beach
Lake George, NY
SwimmingSandy public beach on crystal-clear Lake George with lifeguards and mountain views. Paid entry. …
about 1 hr 15 min drive
Prospect Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway
Lake George, NY
HikingScenic mountaintop with panoramic views of Lake George and the Adirondacks. Paid entry. Best from …
about 1 hr 15 min drive
Pilot Knob Preserve
Fort Ann, NY
HikingGentle nature trails with lake views above southern Lake George. Free. Best from about age 4. About …
about 1 hr 15 min drive
Shelving Rock Falls Trail
Fort Ann, NY
HikingShort family hike to a beautiful waterfall near Lake George. Free. Best from about age 4. About two …
about 1 hr 15 min drive
Sleeping Beauty Mountain
Fort Ann, NY
HikingModerate summit hike with one of the best Lake George panoramic views. Free. Better for ages 6 and …
about 1 hr 15 min drive
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
Cooperstown, NY
MuseumThree floors of baseball history in Cooperstown with the Plaque Gallery, game-worn jerseys, and a …
about 1 hr 15 min drive
Buck Mountain Trail
Pilot Knob, NY
HikingChallenging summit hike with sweeping Lake George views from 2,334 feet. Free. Better for ages 7 and …
about 1 hr 30 min drive
Mohonk Preserve
New Paltz, NY
HikingWorld-class rock climbing and cliff-top hiking on the Shawangunk Ridge. Paid entry. Best from about …
about 1 hr 30 min drive
Peekamoose Blue Hole
Sundown, NY
SwimmingStunning blue-green natural swimming hole with waterfall in the Catskill forest. Free. Best from …
about 1 hr 30 min drive
Mid-Hudson Children's Museum
Poughkeepsie, NY
Indoor-PlayHands-on children's museum on the Poughkeepsie waterfront with circuits, bubbles, water tables, and …
about 1 hr 30 min drive
Walkway Over the Hudson
Poughkeepsie, NY
HikingWalk 212 feet above the Hudson River on the longest elevated pedestrian bridge in the world. Free. …
about 1 hr 30 min drive
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
Kerhonkson, NY
HikingSky lakes, cliff-top trails, and swimming on the Shawangunk Ridge. Paid entry. Best from about age …
about 1 hr 30 min drive
Vernooy Kill Falls Trail
Kerhonkson, NY
HikingEasy forest hike to a beautiful waterfall with a swimming pool at the base. Free. Best from about …
about 1 hr 30 min drive
Natural Stone Bridge and Caves
Pottersville, NY
NatureSelf-guided cave and gorge trails with the largest marble cave entrance in the East. Paid entry. …
about 1 hr 30 min drive
Sam's Point Preserve
Cragsmoor, NY
HikingIce caves, dwarf pine barrens, and cliff-top views on the Shawangunk Ridge. Paid entry. Best from …
about 1 hr 30 min drive
Frick Pond Loop Trail
Livingston Manor, NY
HikingPeaceful forest loop to a quiet Catskill pond with lean-tos. Free. Best from about age 4. A half-day …
about 1 hr 30 min drive
Mongaup Pond Campground
Livingston Manor, NY
CampingSandy beach and motor-free paddling on the largest Catskill pond, with wilderness trails from camp …
about 1 hr 45 min drive
Rogers Rock Campground
Hague, NY
CampingWooded lakeside campground on the quiet north end of Lake George. Paid entry. Works from toddler …
about 1 hr 45 min drive
Dia Beacon
Beacon, NY
MuseumVast daylit factory in Beacon filled with room-size contemporary art including Richard Serra steel …
about 1 hr 45 min drive
Eagle Point Campground
Schroon Lake, NY
CampingBluff-top campsites above Schroon Lake with a swimming beach below, quieter than Lake George and …
about 1 hr 45 min drive
Pharaoh Lake Wilderness
Schroon Lake, NY
HikingPristine wilderness lake with backcountry camping far from the crowds. Free. Better for ages 7 and …
about 1 hr 45 min drive
Indian Lake Islands Campground
Indian Lake, NY
CampingPaddle-in island camping on scenic Indian Lake in the central Adirondacks. Paid entry. Best from …
about 1 hr 45 min drive
Lewey Lake Campground
Indian Lake, NY
CampingBeach and boat launch between two lakes beneath Snowy Mountain, with wilderness trailheads and …
about 1 hr 45 min drive
Snowy Mountain Trail
Indian Lake, NY
HikingChallenging hike to the tallest peak in the southern Adirondacks with fire tower summit. Free. …
about 1 hr 45 min drive
Storm King State Park
Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY
HikingRugged Highland trails with dramatic Hudson River panoramas. Free. Better for ages 7 and up. A …
about 1 hr 45 min drive
Clarence Fahnestock State Park
Cold Spring, NY
HikingHudson Highlands park with lake swimming, Appalachian Trail, and camping. Paid entry. Best from …
about 2 hr drive
Adirondack Experience Museum
Blue Mountain Lake, NY
NatureWorld-class Adirondack history museum with interactive exhibits on Blue Mountain Lake. Paid entry. …
about 2 hr drive
Blue Mountain Trail
Blue Mountain Lake, NY
HikingPopular fire tower hike with panoramic views over Blue Mountain Lake. Free. Better for ages 6 and …
about 2 hr drive
Lake Durant Campground
Blue Mountain Lake, NY
CampingLakefront campground in the central Adirondacks with beach and paddle access. Paid entry. Works from …
about 2 hr drive
Eighth Lake Campground
Inlet, NY
CampingLakefront campground with beach and calm water on the Fulton Chain of Lakes. Paid entry. Works from …
about 2 hr drive
Limekiln Lake Campground
Inlet, NY
CampingLarge pine-shaded campground on a clear lake near Inlet, with a sandy beach, boat launch and the …
about 2 hr drive
Golden Beach Campground
Raquette Lake, NY
CampingLong sandy swimming beach with a gradual toddler-friendly entry on Raquette Lake, backed by …
about 2 hr drive
Raquette Lake Beach
Raquette Lake, NY
SwimmingQuiet sandy beach on one of the prettiest lakes in the central Adirondacks. Free. Works from toddler …
about 2 hr drive
Camp Santanoni Historic Area
Newcomb, NY
HikingCarriage road hike or bike to a historic Great Camp on pristine Newcomb Lake. Free. Best from about …
about 2 hr drive
Goodnow Mountain Fire Tower
Newcomb, NY
HikingFamily-friendly fire tower hike with interpretive signs and High Peaks views. Free. Best from about …
about 2 hr drive
Bear Mountain State Park
Bear Mountain, NY
HikingHistoric Hudson River park with trails, pool, merry-go-round, and Appalachian Trail. Paid entry. …
Towns in this drive-time band
- Lake George, NY (5)
- Blue Mountain Lake, NY (3)
- Fort Ann, NY (3)
- Indian Lake, NY (3)
- Inlet, NY (2)
- Kerhonkson, NY (2)
- Livingston Manor, NY (2)
- Newcomb, NY (2)
- Poughkeepsie, NY (2)
- Raquette Lake, NY (2)
- Schroon Lake, NY (2)
- Shandaken, NY (2)
- Beacon, NY (1)
- Bear Mountain, NY (1)
- Caroga Lake, NY (1)
- Cold Spring, NY (1)
- Cooperstown, NY (1)
- Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY (1)
- Cragsmoor, NY (1)
- Hague, NY (1)
- Mount Tremper, NY (1)
- New Paltz, NY (1)
- Pilot Knob, NY (1)
- Pottersville, NY (1)
- Sundown, NY (1)